I just have to mention how awesome it is to be here with our great friend Timmie. We have also befriended his girlfriend Lauren, who is really awesome and has been SOOO helpful to us here. We really appreciate everything they have done. They even babysat for us! (only made us pay them 100.00) ha ha ha...just kidding. We just have to figure out a way to get them to move to Houston when we leave! :) Brandi--no worries your still number 1

David's Birthday

David's birthday was a nice day. We played games, had pizza, Sprite, and ice cream cake as requested by David. He was sad about not having his friends and family here but we are going to let him have a "welcome home" party with his friends when he gets home. I can't believe he is five years old! He really is starting to show that he is becoming older. The other day he got Grace's food out of the microwave, cut it up and fed it to her while Emily got her water. I was on the phone and walked into the room to witness this. It was really cool watching them work together. He is such a little caretaker. Emily will just follow whatever he does and repeats almost everything David says. She is quite fond of her big brother. I am trying to do some of the same activities that they do in school and it is a lot of fun working with them. Difficult at times but fun. I got David to read his first sentence and Emily is learning how to write letters.

I think my favorite part about being here is the quality time I am spending with the kids. I have no distractions or stress here and it is really nice. I love seeing their individual strengths and differences in personalities. Not that I didn't see them at home, it is just a clearer picture here. I have obtained a lot of reassurance about me choosing to staying at home with the kids. I have been through difficult periods where I have been doubtful but now I feel much more confident.

I finally called one of the moms I met at the park and we are going to have afternoon tea next week while the kids play. She is from South Africa but lived in London the past 9 years and now lives in Perth. As most of you know, it has been difficult for me to find new friends in Houston so I am trying to learn how to meet new people and be open to new friends. It is very difficult as I am quite attached to all of my friends from high school and college! I also just met a woman from Canada and she is really nice and seems to be a lot like me in personality. So, that is 2 new potential friends so far here! :)

Paul is doing ok. He is in a new office doing new work with a new team so it has been quite an adjustment for him. He is out of his comfort zone, so he has been facing some challenges that I don't think he expected. I feel guilty b/c I am able to really enjoy it here and have no stress. I am just trying to support him the best way I can. He will probably be going offshore soon for 3 weeks, which I think will be good for him. He has always loved being on the boats. I think when it is all said and done, it will be a good experience for him. He will go to London in November where the corporate headquarters are so that will be fun. In December his project will be over and he is planning to take off about 3 weeks so we can travel about and relax. So it looks like we will have an Aussie Christmas over here on the beach!! Crazy!!

I am off for a jog and then to the beach with the kiddos. Hard life I know...
Miss you all and we send our love.

August in Australia

The past few weeks have been nonetheless an adventure. After surviving the 30 hour plane ride with the kids, I felt the hardest part was over. It really wasn't as bad as I had expected. The kids actually slept a lot of the way. We spent the first 3 weeks in an apartment in the city, which was interesting with the kids. We survived and I will say that although I am not a city girl, downtown Perth is charming and beautiful. The Australian people are very friendly and we are learning new Australian lingo everyday. They kind of do have their own language. I figured out if you just add and ey or ie to every word, then you can speak Australian. For instance, Breakfast is brekky. Sunglasses are sunnies. Our first week here, Tim's girlfriend and I were going out to the Aquarium with the kids one day. She said, "Why don't we put the pram in the boot?" I said, "the what in the what?" I was looking down as I had boots on. The translation was "Why don't we put the stroller in the trunk." Hmmmm...



So after surviving the plane ride, staying in the city for 3 weeks, and learning how to drive on the left side of the road as well as on the right side of the car, we managed well I think. We finally got a house right off the beach in Scarborough which is just Northwest of the city. A little far from the city by Australian standards but "far" here is by no means what we call "far" in Houston. They do have public transportation here and I think it fairs ok. Paul takes a bus to the train and a train to the city. I think it generally takes about 45 minutes from our house to his office. Not too bad.



The house is awesome. I love our location. I can see views of the ocean from pretty much ever window in the house. We have 2 playgrounds very close by as well as a grocery store. So, I can walk to those very easily. The kids and I go down to the beach every afternoon as long as the weather is decent. I love to watch the sunsets from the beach. The people here are avid outdoors men-Biking, walking, running, kite surfing, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding are what I see here on a daily basis. Even if the weather is bad, there are still many people out doing all of those things. I look forward to the warm weather approaching.



The kids are doing very well. David turns 5 on Monday and Grace just turned 1. I can't believe it. David really misses his friends and family. He wishes he was going to school in Houston. I have met some other moms around and hopefully will get him with some other kids to socialize. Emily is really loving it here and seems so happy. I am able to spend such good quality time with them here. It has been so refreshing.



We do miss family and friends. I have never lived outside of Texas so it has been a little of an adjustment. I also miss our grocery stores and cheaper prices! :) It is quite expensive here but we are kind of used to it now.



All in all, things are going smoothly and I am really glad we are here. I will keep updating as time goes by. Miss you all..Laura